Keys to the Kingdom

We tend to think it is what we acquire in this wrld that brings us value, but what if we have that backwards?

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:13-20

Jesus told his disciples that they already had what it takes to add flavor to the world and to bring it light.  We are the salt of the earth, capable of increasing the value of what is around us.

We are the light that shines in the darkness, able to make the world more accessible and safe.  We highlight the good in what could be an evil world.

He goes on to talk about the commandments, and I think that takes away from the message.  What might be a better transition from one thought to the other would be to tell us that all the laws and commandments are designed to help us retain the saltiness and light we are given at birth.

In other words, what we manage to do in this life cannot add to what we were given.  It can only take away from who we are already.

We are born with all we need to make this world better for us and for everyone we meet.

So, Jesus came to remind us that we have the keys to the kingdom with us already.

All we need to do is use them.

More to come...